To all the moms out there, I wish you a relaxing and peaceful Mother’s Day!

My day began with a lot of sleep–Nick took care of Jack while I snuggled in bed until ten, and then I was given a tray of donuts and donut holes in bed–doesn’t get much better for me! 🙂

Calista Fox has tagged me to reveal 8 things about myself that most people don’t know. I’ll post that list very soon, Calista, promise!

Today, my grandmother is celebrating her 93rd birthday. Yep, that’s right–ninety-three. (And she doesn’t look a day past eighty!)

I’ve been thinking about my grandmother a lot this morning, about all of the things that she has experienced in her life. Back when I was in college, I wrote a research paper comparing her life to mine (it was an analysis of a woman’s life in the 1920s versus the 1990s). Needless to say, I came away being very glad that I was born in a more open time period.

Going back to my grandmother…she is, without a doubt, what I would consider an amazing character. She has stories, so many stories, about her life growing up. Working on her farm. Killing snakes. Dancing with my grandfather and riding with him in a wagon across an old rickety bridge. She’s had good times and bad. My grandmother has buried four of her children and two of her grandchildren. She lost her husband, but kept her house and her independence. Her husband actually passed over twenty-five years ago. I’ve often asked her why she didn’t remarry, and her response to me has always been the same: “I’ll never have me another man.” Usually said with just a hint of impatience. My grandmother likes her independence, and I don’t think she wants any man telling her what to do–even if she does love said man. Yes, a very good character.

I wrote a story about my grandmother several years ago. A true story about her struggle to return to a normal life after a very severe stroke. That story went on to win first place in the 71st Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition (feature article category). Winning that contest convinced me that I should pursue the writing dream that I had always had. So, really, I owe all the success I’ve currently achieved to my grandmother.

Today, when I write characters in my stories, I try to make them as well-rounded as I can. I want my characters to be real, like my grandmother. I want them to have fun, personal catch-phrases like she does, “Sometimes you just can’t win for losing.” I want them to have hobbies they love with a passion–like her passion for yard sales. I want them to understand the hardships that come in life, and the blessings–just as I know my grandmother understands.

Happy birthday, Addie–I’ll be seeing you soon and we’ll have some cake and ice cream! 🙂

It’s time for me to run another contest on my website. The contest will officially begin today and run until July 1st. I’ll be giving away an autographed copy of Secrets, Volume 18: Dark Passions, featuring my novella, The Wolf’s Mate, and an autographed copy of my paranormal romance, The Wizard’s Spell. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

To enter this contest, simply tell me your favorite paranormal creature–and why this being is your favorite–in 50 words or less, please! Send your entry (with a subject line of Contest) to info@cynthiaeden.com. I’ll post the entries on my contest page, and a winner will be randomly selected on July 2nd. Good luck!

Note: Entrants will automatically be subscribed to my newsletter list. If you do not wish to be added to the list, simply type “No newsletter” at the bottom of your entry.

So I’m back from the big Romantic Times convention in Houston. Here’ s a quick and dirty sum-up: I had a great time, I got a ton of wonderful books, and I am now very, very tired.

Now for more details! 🙂

It was great to meet readers and blog visitors (Ali–thanks for stopping by to say hello!). Everyone I met was so positive and wonderful. The parties were great fun, and I loved seeing all the costumes.

I was thrilled to get the chance to meet the Kensington editorial staff I’ll be working with for my paranormal suspense releases–Megan Records and Kate Duffy. Megan was kind enough to put up with me as a dinner companion (the woman has mad patience and is super gracious!). I also got the chance to finally meet my agent, Laura Bradford, face to face. Several of Laura’s clients were at the convention, so she was one busy woman!

On the author front, I was very happy to meet Sylvia Day and HelenKay Dimon (two wonderful members of the Brava family) I also had the chance to chat with Sunny (and yes, she’s as kind and professional in real-life as she appears in her TV interviews) and to catch-up with several of my Secrets friends: Amber Green (who presented a FANTASTIC workshop called “Fifty Ways to Nearly Kill Your Lover”), Calista Fox (who has a single title Red Sage book due out next year–yay, Calista!), Rachelle Chase (Rachelle is also an Aphrodisia author and the lady was as poised as ever!), and MK Mancos (MK has a new Secrets release due out in July–and it is very, very good!).

There were SO many wonderful authors there. While mixing and mingling, I had the pleasure of meeting Christie Craig–and from the sound of things, she’s got a great new series coming soon from Dorchester.

At the booksigning, I was seated right next to Bonnie Edwards (Kensington Aphrodisia). I now have two of her books in my To-Be-Read pile.

Speaking of my TBR pile, oh, dang, but the thing is huge now. I’ll have to blog later about all of the wonderful books I lugged home.

Oh! And the very talented Jeri Smith-Ready took away the RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Fantasy (book: Eyes of the Crow). Her story is an exceptional read, one that I would highly recommend.

There are so many other people that I met that I’d like to talk about, but my mind still kind of feels like mush, so I will try to make more entries later.

And, yes, I did manage to squeeze in some time for sight-seeing. I went to the Aquarium. Went through the Shark Tunnel. Had a blast. Then I hurried to the museum so I could study the dinosaurs and see the Egypt display. If I don’t get to write my Egypt story soon, I may explode. I’m going to definitely put that story on the agenda for this year.

I hope all the other attendees had fun!

Okay, everyone, I’ll be heading for Houston early tomorrow morning. This will be my first Romantic Times Convention, and I’m looking forward to the fun!

Hopefully, I’ll return to blogging on Monday with lots of great info and stories to tell.

Bye!